Friday, November 4, 2016

It’s that time of year when it is all about film festivals. The 22nd Kolkata International Film Festival 2016 will be inaugurated by megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The inaugural ceremony will be held on November 11 at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Mr. Bachchan will once again grace the occasion. Other celebrities who will become the part of the festival are Jaya Bachchan, Kajol, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Sharmila Tagore and Moushumi Chatterjee. The film festival will showcase as many as 176 films by 137 directors from 61 countries. It will be screened across 12 venues.

KIFF director Yadab Mandal said in a press conference, “This year for the second time, the KIFF is a competitive event. The competition focuses on women filmmakers. The Royal Bengal trophy will be awarded to the best film (Rs.51 lakh) and the best director (Rs.21 lakh). The cash award for the best film is the single largest cash award at any international film festival now.”

As for Amitabh Bachchan, he is currently busy with the shooting of Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 3. https://goo.gl/Jquthq

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Earlier we had reported that Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 3 featuring Amitabh Bachchan returning to the title role from the previous films had commenced shooting. Now we hear that the film has run into legal trouble with Narendra Hirawat issuing a notice to Varma for copyright infringement.

The legal notice sent by Narendra Hirawat & Co’s lawyer, claims that his company is the sole owner of the original film Sarkar’s copyrights as well as the negative rights and all other irreversible world negative rights of the film for perpetuity, and that only he has the right to initiate process of making a prequel, sequel or remake of the film. While a notice has been sent to RGV of the same, the lawyers have also intimated others involved in Sarkar 3 via a notice in a trade magazine to refrain from working on the said film.

As for the film, Sarkar 3 that went on floors last week features Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Amit Sadh, Manoj Bajpayee, Yami Gautam and Ronit Roy.

Amitabh Bachchan‘s Diwali bash is considered the grandest of all because the celebration goes for long hours and all the stars from the industry are seen united under one roof. Earlier, the Pink star used to host Holi parties as well but since a couple of years, it has been replaced by the Diwali party. The Bachchan family who hosts the Diwali bash every year supports an Eco-friendly Diwali where the menu is traditional with Indian sweets.

Amitabh Bachchan’s Diwali began with pink lights recently. Jalsa was turned into pink. Before you get confused, we tell you Big B’s residence was turned pink in order to announce the world television premiere of his critically acclaimed film Pink which was premiered on Star Gold on October 23, 2016. Bachchan‘s Diwali bash began this year with pink lights already.

Amitabh Bachchan‘s daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has made Diwali much more special as she is treating her fans with her upcoming release Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, on his 74th birthday on Tuesday, said that while the people in the country are raging with anger, it’s time for civilians to show solidarity with the soldiers who fight for their safety.

The ongoing bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan spilled over to the entertainment world in both nations when some Indian outfits demanded that Pakistani artistes must be ousted from the country.

Asked about the debate about the ban on Pakistani actors, Amitabh said: “People of this country are very angry by the incidents that have been happening at our borders. It’s time to show solidarity. It’s time to show solidarity towards our jawans and armed forces who are sacrificing their lives so that you and me can be safe.”

The actor spoke to the media at his office here on the occasion of his birthday. His last release “Pink” raised an important issue of stereotypes associated with women and their safety in the country. It led to debates galore, but Big B said he doesn’t pick films to leave a social impact as such on the society.

“We don’t do films thinking it will make an impact or not. If I get a good character and good story, then I decide whether to do it or not. If after doing any role, there is an impact in the society, then it’s great,” said the National Award winning actor.

His next project “Thug” will also feature Aamir Khan. He said he is looking forward to that opportunity.

“There have been many attempts for us to work together, but we haven’t yet. So yes, I look forward to that opportunity. He is a great star and great actor. He has been ruling the box office and industry for a long time,” he said.

The Indian film industry has been going through ups and downs, and there has been talk of various studios shutting shop. One cited reason has been the high remuneration demands of stars.

Big B says such hurdles will come and go, but the film industry will always be alive.

“This is the film industry and this will be alive and going on. Such hurdles and problems will be coming, but the film industry will go on. The actors are blamed saying they have taken a lot of money and that’s why a film got flopped.

"That actor has the power to get the audience to come to theatres… Then if an actor is demanding more money, then what’s wrong in it? If the film doesn’t work, in the next film they get (paid) less,” added the actor, who has worked in Bollywood for over four decades and became popular as Hindi cinema’s Angry Young Man and Shahenshah.

On Tuesday, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan unveiled a jukebox gifted to him by his fans. He said it is “precious and memorable” for him.

“A few years back, someone for Amsterdam had come and told me, ‘We make such things and we would like to make something for you’. I don’t know whether a jukebox will be there or not in the future but this gift is very memorable and precious to me. I will keep this in my office here,” Amitabh told the media at his office here on Tuesday morning.

With a career that has spanned over four decades, the actor has explored various characters and looks. He has also travelled widely and explored new things. His hunger to learn more hasn’t gone.

On his birthday, he said he hopes to learn to play new instruments and learn new languages.

“I can’t play any instruments, but we do have different instruments at our place and I want to learn to play different instruments. I want to learn different languages. I will take out time for that,” said the actor, whose energy and passion towards his craft leave many of his juniors in the industry in awe.

As a Sunday routine, the gates of the actor’s residence get thronged by fans who wait to catch a glimpse of him and wave at him. On his birthday too, fans came in to greet him.

Asked about how he was planning to spend the day, he said: “I will be spending my day with my family.”

Big B, who married actress Jaya Bhaduri, has two children – daughter Shweta and son Abhishek, and three grandchildren – Navya Naveli, Agastya and Aaradhya.